The Washington critic., 1887-12-24
WOMEN IN JOURNALISM.
History aud Object of the Woman's Ma
iinnnl prcss Association.

History aud Object OF the Noman's Ma
tionai Press Association.
The Association first organized ut the
Riggs House in this city July TO- 1882, AS the
"Woman's Press Association" and in No
vcinbcr, 1851, rcorunizcd MS the "Woman's
National Press Association" Is still in ex-
istcnce.
Contrary to the prediction of q great many
observers, it has lived through varying for
tunes, and its members have 10 idea of let
ting II die because few great Journalists
have said il could not possibly succeed with
oit their approval and support. This asso-
citation was organized for u definite purpose,
one prominent feature being to bring women
who WRITE and those who might desire 10
write, into co;npanionship for mutual bcnc-
fit.
II has been repeatedly asked by many who
are interested in womar's progress what ben
eft this association is to it, members or what
advantages can result from becoming mem
bcr.
This depends entirely on the person who
becomes Il member. The association cannot
help the helpless; neither drag along and
elevate those who choose TO become dead
! weights instead of active helpers. Underly-
| ing this association is n principle which
should be the first and foremost considcra-
/ tiun with those who desire to see women be-
come successful in any branch of literary
occupation. 1fcvery woman who joined the
| Suffrage Association stopped to ask what
advantage il would be to them individually,
| few would have ever Joined its forces.
! II the women who have given their time.
/ talent and money to advance the interests of
| temperance had each one asked what ad-
/ vuniagcs would derive from all their
| ariuous service, the ranks of our temper
ance associations would never have been
! filed.
Women must make their own opportuni-
ties, and iudcious association will advance
their interest if fidelity to principle and
not selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Is the basis of
| their cndcayor.
Every movement for reform has been the
outgrowth of small and seemingly worth
less beginning but vast and tnr-rcnching
results have followed such movements.
From this organization, the first of the
kind ever established in this country so far
| as ! can learn, have originated several large
and successful press associations for women,
and new ones are being organized every
year.
These associations may not launch into
immediate recognition. They have tholl-
sands of trained workers To compete with,
they have professional journalists To combat,
they have innllmcrablc drawbacks 10 en-
counter, but believe every woman who has
conscientionsly given her support to these
associations will in the future be proud OF
her sacrifice.
|
idea which developed into the practical Ger
tainty of a wOinun's press association. from
which many Others have been established
in various parts of the country, is wortl
something NJ least.
bclievein the ultimate success of all thes,
organizations anticipate their growth. dc
: vclopncnt, powers and purposes TO wider
the sphere of woman's usefulness, educate
her To concentrated, steady untiring effort
such effort Is will make her stand side b,
: side with men who command better wage
for brain work than our legislators do 10
I making our laws.
+ Women need the discipline of such asso
Citations. AS n rule, they are less funilia
. with the methods of organization than men
They talk instead of work; they lacl
method, perhaps; certainly they lack tn
thorough training men consider essential TO
n success, especially in literary pursuits. And
;, yet, believe that, out of all the local pres
4 associations organized in this city by new,
: paper men, not one is In existence, while til
, women, who have tcnaciously adhered (
the principles underlying the original organ
zation of 1889, have neither quarrelcd til
o association out of existence, neither hav
. they become bankrupt.
During that time many literary woine
:. who visited Washington have been guests {
!, the association; especially since Colon,
Staples of Willard Hotel has SO gcnerousl
i given the members the use of his elegai
n parlors.
j. II writer's in this city, who have been il
@ tcrcsted enough In the society to crticise i
a ! dolngs with more severity than kindnes
- would join its ranks and instruct its men
V bers how TO carry out their advanced idea
= would IL not be more charitable than to sta
Il outside and expect the association to gro
: up TO their exalted plane of thought'
d Washington, Dec. "a. NJ. ID. l..